Fred Van Weyenbergh
I wasn't going to write a story about our vacation in Turkey until I saw a folder named "Turkey", I was thinking "Thanksgiving pictures probably" but there were photo's from our 2006 vacation so, here's the story:
As wonderful as My Baby was, she wasn't a morning person, I learned not to talk to her about anything important for at least an our after she got up. But this morning was different, I seen this mail from my bookclub, they were doing a promotion, they were giving serious discounts on trips and I could benefit from a week-trip to Antalya. The pictures of the hotel with it's swimming pool, bar and outside dining area looked gorgeous, so I said "Hey baby, I got a promotion from my bookclub" and Sandy said "tell me later ok", I said "Oh ok, it's about a vacation in Turkey but if you're not ... " that was kinda speeding up her waking-up ritual so she turned around and said "Oh really, show me", I showed her the pictures and she was like "OMG Fred, that looks wonderful" and me "so you like it ugh" she said "Hell yeah, I wanna do everything".
So that was it, I called my club, booked the trip, ordered some Turkish Lira and we were set to go on our first vacation as a married couple.
As planned, we left on Sunday evening, got on the bus at Antalya airport and hit the (Turkish) sac close to sunrise time. The next morning we had an intro explaining all the stuff we were about to do that week, we had a glas of champagne and got to know the participants.
The carpet factory was amazing, they showed us the process from start to end. They were all gorgeous and we got us a little one (shipped to our home) which is now on the floor in our office here.
Thursday was the day of the bus accident. We were driving in the city, on our way to al museum, as Sandy got up to get something from her bag. At that moment the driver had to slam his breaks cause some fucking Muslim came out of this side-street without even stopping, and there went my Baby, flying. She'd hit her arm and head, her arm was bleeding pretty bad and I was in all states.
Sandy was worried going to that hospital "I'm fine, I don't want to go there" but the guide insisted. Now Turkey is not exactly a banana-republic but going to a hospital in a country named like American's favorite food isn't something to look forward to, so I was pretty nervous too but said "I want to take you there Baby and have them check you all out". She hesitatingly agreed and afterwards was glad she did as the doctors were pretty competent and there was an interpreter with us all the time. Sandy's arm had some deep cuts so they put some stiches and that was it - the guide was waiting for us and took us back to our to our hotel. Later that day Sandy said "I feel ok, I think I want to do this afternoon's tour" the program showed a visit to a jewelry center followed by a fashion-show, I could see what attracted her to it so I said, "sure Baby, looks like fun" so we did and I got her a beautiful ring, how could I not.
The next day we decided to stay at the hotel, relax at the swimming-pool in the sun (Sandy) and try out some local cocktails at the bar, in the shade (Me).
The next, and last, evening we went to a theater with dining. Good food, good wine and a great show - we were sitting right at the stage, I loved the belly-dancers'
The next day was just shilling out in the lobby and wait for the bus to take us to the airport and back to Belgium. On the flight back she said "What a wonderful vacation Honey, thank you so much" and I said "that's why I never quit that club I knew that one day there was going to be a treat there for my Baby" and she said "Oh Fred, i am going to say it in your favorite phrase "You are fucking amazing" and I Love You So Much" with the most beautiful smile and twinkles in her lovely eyes, this was the best reward that my Baby could give me.
After a last look at the Turkish Riviera beneath us we dosed of with a big smile on our faces.